price of new guns

[Muskett]

Keeping more to Air Rifles.

Great names like Webley and BSA went into decline for good reason. They failed to find orders, they failed to take risks and search for innovation, and their top management was pretty poor. Then again any profit that they might have made was taxed away anyhow. They lost all the worth they had, had nothing new to offer, and were just worn out and out of date. Investment takes profits to reinvest, and they couldn't even do that.
By the 1980's they were just a name, which was sold on.

Cadbury's sold for a colossal amount as it had value. Many companies are sold at top dollar, and there is no harm in that. Those funds raised can be invested again. The trick is for the funds raised to be reinvested here. But high taxation doesn't make investing here very attractive.
The UK once had colossal investments and capital around the world. Much was sold off to pay for two World Wars debts. Being victorious isn't free. (Unless the USA, but at least they gave best mates banking rates.) (Hitler took Germany to war because the socialist policies were about to implode and Germany rapidly if not already bust.)

Produce an air rifle where the costs are high then the products are not going to be cheap. UK manufactured gun stuff has to be premium. AA produce highly desirable but expensive rifles; the rifles people would love to have. Thankfully there are those who can afford these premium products. No one can make a "Best" London gun but us, but then only a hundred or so can be made in a year and there is a waiting list.
.50 Cal machine gun barrels are made in the UK, because we make the best.

We are making the best nuclear submarines in the world. They are not cheap, but at least in production. Why the Australians have binned the French who failed to make something as good; heck the French couldn't get the designs off the drawing-board.

So we can do stuff. We just need to let people take risks which they will do if there is reward for doing so. If you are only going to get taxed to pieces for success then why take the risk? Or take it abroad. Or if in the EU have it given to your mates.
Lefty governments be it Labour or recent Conservatives just don't get it; high taxation is a killer for UK industry.

[rapidresponse1]

i agree about the taxes